Culture Shock! has become one of the largest digital storytelling projects in the world and has engaged with nearly 600 participants, who have created their own digital stories inspired by museum and gallery collections.

The project was recently short listed for the inaugural Clore Award for Museum Learning which recognises and celebrates quality, impact and innovation in using museums and galleries for learning activities or initiatives.

Using Culture Shock! as an example of best practice, this one day conference will explore digital storytelling and how museums, heritage organisations and those working with youth, community, health and justice agendas can work together to support service users.

The political and philosophical roots of digital storytelling in the community development and justice movements make it a very good fit with museum goals of community engagement and participation. By collecting these stories museums and heritage organisations can enhance, expand and better understand their collections and audiences.

The process of digital storytelling can also be used as a tool to unlock and showcase stories from people who have not been recognised as having a voice in history making. Social research on digital storytelling has demonstrated its value as social and collaborative and personal; emotionally-engaging; strongly connected to self-identity; and drawing on visual, aural and emotional intelligence.

With speakers from the museum and community sectors, personal testimonies from Culture Shock! participants and practical workshops, you will leave with knowledge of the benefits of digital storytelling and how to achieve real impact for individuals and communities.

You can view the main presentations from the Culture Shock! conference on our You Tube channel TWAMDigitalStories. Please select the link below;